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What is ITS ?

ITS (Intelligent Transportation Systems) is a multidisciplinary field that brings together several transportation stakeholders including planners, policy makers, traffic engineers, facility operators, managers and transportation service providers, from the public and private sectors.

The technologies and services that ITS enables are valuable for moving people and goods efficiently; monitoring and managing the transportation system effectively; quickly detecting, responding to and clearing incidents and emergency situations on the transportation network; as well as improving the security and safety of passengers, drivers and physical assets and the infrastructure. Overall, ITS technologies enable to modernize the transportation system to make it reliable, efficient, affordable and environmentally sustainable; which is critical for accelerating economic growth and raising the standard of living of the people.

ITS systems involve the application of a variety of Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) for gathering, processing and disseminating traffic information to transportation stakeholders and the public. This information is used to facilitate several transportation related services such as to detect, manage and clear incidents; control and manage traffic flow; coordinate emergency situations (e.g. disaster recovery) and special events (e.g. marathons); improve mobility of traffic and pedestrians; as well as ensure the safety and security of travelers. ITS technologies provide useful services to multi-modal transportation systems including traffic, transit and rail. They are vital for improving public transportation systems by modernizing such services as fleet management, scheduling, fare collection and delivery of traveler information services. They also play a key role in commercial vehicle operations by improving delivery of goods and the safety and security of the drivers, trucks and goods, thus accelerating business and economic growth. ITS technologies are also used in many parts of the world (including in South Africa) for collecting toll revenues with the application of ETC - Electronic Toll Collection systems.

ITS is a well known and an established field throughout the developed and developing world, including in the USA, Canada, Europe, China, South Africa, as well as in Latin American and Asian countries. For instance in Africa, South Africa has made significant progress in recent years, in deploying ITS technologies for managing the country’s intricate transportation networks and providing quality and efficient services by improving the mobility, safety and security of its travelers.

ITS technologies are also used in many parts of the world (including in South Africa) for collecting toll revenues with the application of ETC - Electronic Toll Collection systems.

For further information about ITS, and the programs in the various countries around the world, please check in the ITS Resources and Link sections of our website.